Teaching English in Korea: E-2 visa requirements, EPIK vs hagwon and red flags

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Teaching English has brought many people to Korea for a year that turned into several. The route is well trodden, but the paperwork is strict and the quality of employers varies a lot. This guide covers the visa, the two kinds of job, and what to check before you sign.

Who can get an E-2 visa

The E-2 (foreign language instructor) visa for English conversation teaching is limited to citizens of countries where English is the native language. In practice the list is seven countries: the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and South Africa. There are limited separate arrangements for some other nationalities through specific programmes, so ask the embassy if your situation is unusual.

The core documents

Requirements change and differ slightly by consulate, but the standard set is:

A bachelor's degree (in any subject) from an accredited university, usually as an apostilled copy of the diploma. Sealed transcripts are often requested too.
A national-level criminal record check, apostilled in your home country. It needs to be recent when you apply; the accepted window varies, so check before you order it. Any record, especially drug or sexual offences, can mean refusal.
A health statement with the application, and a medical check after arrival when you register as a foreign resident, which typically includes drug and tuberculosis screening.
A signed contract and documents from your employer, who sponsors the visa.
Passport, photos and the application form.

Apostilles and background checks can take weeks, so start these first. The Korean embassy or consulate in your country, and Korea's immigration service, have the authoritative checklist.

Public schools vs hagwon

Public schools are mostly hired through government programmes such as EPIK (nationwide) and some regional programmes. You work in a state school, usually alongside a Korean co-teacher, with school hours and national holidays. Hiring is seasonal, with fixed intake periods, and placement is less in your control. Hagwon are private academies, from big chains to small single-branch schools. They hire all year round and often in the city you choose. Hours are often afternoon to evening, and the job can include more classes and less holiday. Some are excellent employers; the range is wider than in the public system.

What a contract usually covers

Housing: either a furnished studio provided by the employer or a housing allowance.
Flights: often an entrance flight, an exit flight or a reimbursement.
Health insurance: national health insurance, with contributions split with your employer.
Severance: Korean law requires severance pay for employees who complete at least one year of continuous work. A contract that tries to avoid it, or a dismissal just before the year ends, is a known problem.
National pension: contributions are deducted from pay. Whether you can claim them back as a lump sum when you leave depends on your nationality, through social security agreements or reciprocity. Citizens of the US, Canada and Australia are on the National Pension Service's list; check the NPS (nps.or.kr) for your own country before you assume you will get a refund.
Paid holiday, sick leave and teaching hours, set out clearly.

Red flags

No written contract in English, or pressure to sign before you have read it.
The school will not let you speak to a current foreign teacher.
Vague hours, "extra classes as needed" or unpaid prep and weekend duties.
Housing that is "shared" or not described.
Asked to work on a tourist visa or to teach at a second location that is not on your visa. Working outside your registered workplace can get you deported.
A history of the school changing owners or closing.

Before you sign

Ask for the full contract and read every clause on pay dates, hours and termination.
Talk to a current or former teacher there.
Check the employer's business registration with your recruiter.
Get every promise about housing, flights and severance in writing.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor handles labour complaints, and foreign workers can get counselling in English through government help lines. Teachers here, share your experience of schools and recruiters, or ask a question, in the comments.